Season 7 Chapter 10

Akari: (Ignoring my presence, she strides up to Angela, who is trying to hide behind me, and grips her shoulder tightly. Her voice trembles with a mix of disbelief and irritation.) Didn't I ask you not to cause trouble? Do you even understand how serious this could have been? Was it so hard to endure? As a woman, you should know how to endure! (She runs a hand through her hair in frustration.)

Angela: (She looks down, flinching at Akari's words, as tears stream down her face.) I-I am s-sorry.

Akari: (Her frustration boils over at Angela's apology.) Are you kidding me?! Do you really think a 'sorry' will fix this? Didn't I warn you already? Angela, why can't you understand how important this opportunity is? If you get a role in this movie, your career could be made! What are you going to do if he files a complaint against you? You're not as bright or talented as your siblings! You don't have any other options!

Angela: (she gulps her spit) W-Will t-they kick me out?

Akari: You still have doubts?!! (She almost lost herself, before she takes a deep breath, trying to regain her composure, but her voice remains sharp.) Look, Angela, this industry is ruthless. One mistake, one bad incident, and you could be blacklisted. It's not just about getting kicked out of this project; it's about your future. You can't afford to mess up like this. You need to be stronger, smarter, and more cautious. (She softens slightly, her words filled with nectar of manipulation, as she places her hand on Angela's head) Or else, what will your parents think? Didn't your siblings leave because they saw you as failure? Now, if you fail, what if your parents feel disappointed?

Heh, look at this bitch babbling nonsense while ignoring my presence. If she can speak so boldly in front of me, what does she do in privacy? All of a sudden, everything made sense, Angela's anxiety, her fear, her worries, and why she failed to open up regarding her problems and cling on. I stood there, my anger boiling as Akari's words cut through the room. Her manipulative speech aimed to crush Angela's spirit, and I could see Angela's shoulders slump further under the weight of Akari's verbal assault. Now I knew, why she was hell-bent to break our relationship, she knew that if she could create a distance between the sisters, it would make Angela more vulnerable in her hands.

I clenched my fists, feeling my blood simmering with each cutting remark Akari delivered. The room felt heavy with tension, the air thick with the sting of Akari's harsh words. Angela's gaze remained fixed on the floor, her posture crumpling under the relentless onslaught. I could see the pain in her eyes, her resolve weakening with every second. Unable to bear any longer, I stepped forward and grabbed Akari's hand tightly, almost crushing her bones, as I glared at her, while I stood in front of Angela in a protective manner, making sure that she couldn't see Angela's face due to my height.

Me: Enough is enough. (I said coldly before leaving Akari's hand.)

Akari: Tsk….(she holds her swollen hand wincing in pain and glaring at me) I always knew that you are a bad influence. You are just jealous of Angela's success, and trying to ruin her, under the façade of helping her. Angela! Don't listen to your delinquent sister, she is trying to ruin your life!

Me: Pfft…..jealous? (I almost failed like laughing) Maybe I am, maybe you are right. But, so what? (I tilt my head slightly) I see nothing wrong in it.

Angela: Sis?....(her voice was meek)

Me: My jealousy…..(I bit my lower lip before continuing) Doesn't effect our relationship. Even if I am actually jealous, my love for her is much stronger, than any other emotions that I have felt in my life. My envy, doesn't impact on my responsibilities. And right now, it's my duty to take my beloved sister away from your clutches and bring these words up to our parents ears.

Akari: (her face twitched in anger, as she narrows her eyes and looks at me dangerously) You think they will believe your words?

Me: (I bit my lip harder, as the incident with Shin flashed in front of my eyes) Maybe. But that doesn't mean that I will give up before even trying. (I don't know why there was a slight hope, that this time my parents will listen and understand me, maybe before this time, the issue didn't resolved around me, but rather their favourite daughter. Yes, I am jealous of Angela, she always got all their attention, but at the same time, I was embarrassed of being jealous of her. Without another word, I grabbed Angela's hand.)

Angela: Sis…..(she hesitates, as tears roll down from her eyes.)

Akari: Where are you trying to take her. (She grits her teeth) The shooting will start within a few minutes.

Me: To hell with the shooting! (I said finally losing my temper) She is my sister! Not your money printing machine! (I opened my hoodie and placed it on Angela, to cover her face) If you dare to stop us, I will make sure to create a scene.

Angela: (she holds my hand and looks at me pleading) Sis…..please don't do anything…..

Me: (I smiled and patted her cheek) Angela, I listened to your request and controlled my anger, but now, everything has crossed limits, and I am sorry, but I need to break that promise. Either you come with me quietly, or I will need to make some sounds.

Angela: (She hesitates, her eyes darting between me and Akari, clearly torn) I… I don't want to cause more trouble…

Me: (Softening my tone, I cup Angela's cheek gently) Angela, it's not trouble if it's standing up for what's right. You deserve to be treated with respect and love, not fear and manipulation. Please, trust me. We're not causing trouble; we're finding a way out of it.

Akari: (She steps forward, her voice laced with venom) You think you can just walk away? That this won't have consequences? You're being foolish. You're going to ruin everything.

Me: (Turning to face Akari, I stand my ground) The only thing being ruined here is your hold over her. We're leaving, and that's final. (I take Angela's hand firmly) And if you think we're going to back down, you're wrong. Elizabeth family fears none, but you should watch your back….(I said leaning towards her and whispering) My father is a vindictive person. (I said before walking out with Angela without a further word.)

Director: (he hesitates as he watches us leaving) Uhm did something happen? (He looks at Angela who's face was covered)

Me: I am sorry about today's incident. As you can see….(I looked at the lead actor who seemed to have spread some fake rumours behind our back, as eyes stared at our direction out of curiosity) I am Anne, her elder sister, we kind of wanted to prank you, to see how many people we can fool.

Director: (he hesitates) I….I see….so….uhm...actually the shooting is about to start….

Me: I am so sorry, Angela broke down in tears, because I am leaving in two days, she got really emotional, and now she is feeling drained and sick after crying for an hour. Both the Manager and Lead actor tried to explain to her. (I glanced at the Lead Actor) but she kept crying and fell sick, so I thought of taking her back home, if it's fine with you.

Director: (he sighs) I mean, can't help it. (He was slightly annoyed) Health comes first, I guess. (He smiles) But don't make this a habit.

Me: Thank you. (I smiled before leaving the spot with Angela.)

To be continued....